Study Life Balance

by frank-stuart

17APR

Balancing your study commitments with rewarding social and leisure activities is the key to making the most of your time at university. By keeping focused and well organised, you can learn how to study at university while living a balanced life. Striking the right balance is possible whether you’re new to university life or returning to study after some time away.

Managing Your Studies

Managing your studies requires a bit of trial-and-error to determine the right balance for you. Some issues to keep in mind include the following.

Stay organised. Develop a formal study schedule that covers weekly contact hours, individual study hours, assignment periods, and swot time. You’ll be able to visualise the number of hours you devote to each subject per week and keep track of the subjects on which you should be spending more time.

Sleep and rest. Try to allocate sufficient hours for sleep every day, and try to get to bed at the same time every day. You’ll perform more effectively if you’ve had at least seven or eight hours of sleep.

Develop your own system. Find a study system that works best for you. Do you study better at night or during the day? Are you more effective when you study in short blocks, or do you prefer having a few hours to get into a subject? Do you study better at the library or at home?

Stagger your learning. A few hours of private study every day is better than a single intensive study period at the end of the semester. Staggering your study over the semester supports more effective learning.

Study breaks. Taking plenty of study breaks keeps your brain refreshed. Incorporate short breaks into your study sessions by going for a walk, having a snack, relaxing, or doing some physical exercise.

Incorporating Leisure Activities

Prioritising your studies is important, but all students can try to incorporate a variety of activities into their week. Set aside time for physical exercise, friends and family, and doing something you enjoy. An essential and enjoyable part of university life is getting involved in the clubs and social activities, so join a club or sporting team that interests you. You’ll have the opportunity to meet more people with whom to share your university journey.

Getting Support

Your university will usually offer a wide range of support services. These can cover study support and advice, counselling services, financial assistance, and library services. Study support and advice can cover how to study at university, allowing you to develop good exam, essay writing, or general learning skills which support you in learning more effectively in the university environment. With the right learning skills, you’ll be able to use your time more effectively.

Alternative Study Options

Some of the benefits of distance education include increased flexibility, reduced commuting time, and a wide variety of study options. Technological tools such as online classrooms have made distance education accessible to everyone. Alternative study arrangements such as distance education provide an excellent option for people who are working and studying at the same time.